West Fest Organisers Recognised

The organisers of the recent very successful Westfest were recognised by Newcastle West Community Council at a function in the town Library last Thursday evening. At the function attended by the Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council, Cllr. Jerome Scanlan, seven members of the of the community were recipients of presentations to mark the event which brought considerable, social, cultural and economic benefit to the county town. Those in receipt of presentations were Declan O’Grady, Eoin Whelan, Siobhan Kelly, Jimmy Lee, Gearoid Whelan, Ide Dunworth and Laurie O’Leary.

Speaking at the event Michael Finucane chairperson of Newcastle West Community Council stated, “It was the unanimous wish of the Community Council on behalf of the town that they should acknowledge the great work of the seven members of the local community for their work and effort in organising the recent festival.The diversity of events showed the hard work and preparation that went in to organising it. The great success of the festival has been widely acknowledged and as well as providing great enjoyment for the thousands who attended it also gave a much needed boost to the local business community. A special word of thanks is also due to the many volunteers who assisted during the festival”

The Community Council chairperson encouraged the organisers who were present to consider organising the event again next year and pledged any assistance that the members of the Community Council could give would be forthcoming. “This is now one of the top festivals in the country and it is due to these people for organising it and it is important that it goes ahead in 2013” Mr. Finucane said.

In his remarks, the Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council, Cllr. Jerome Scanlan commented, “This festival was absolute proof of what a small team of seven dedicated people complimented by over 120 volunteers achieved in promoting the business and the social life of their town. The innovative nature of the weekend’s star attraction ‘A Taste of Food’ proved what can be done to promote excellence locally. The entire event highlighted what voluntary effort can achieve given the organisation and planning that went into this wonderful event”.

Michael Finucane thanked the library staff Aileen, Ann and Helena for their assistance.